Michael Gove ridicules Labour ‘spin tax’

ED Miliband wants to lumber voters with a £40million “Militax” by forcing them to pick up the bill for running our political parties, Michael Gove claimed yesterday.

PUBLISHED: 00:00, Mon, Aug 26, 2013

Michael Gove warned on funding

The Education Secretary believes Mr Miliband’s call for a ban on political donations of more than £5,000 from individuals would inevitably lead to state funding for the Tories, Labour and Lib Dems.

He warned the proposal is designed to deflect attention from the row over the way that Labour is bankrolled by the unions, such as Unite.

Outspoken Mr Gove said: “There are few dirtier monetary transactions than politicians agreeing to pick the pockets of people poorer than themselves to fund activities which should be supported voluntarily.

“That’s the position Labour is embracing – call it what you will, a spin tax, a Militax, a going-to-the-poll tax – it’s all the same. More taxes to pay for more politicians spending more of your money.” Tory sources say Militax is based on the 2011 Kelly review of party funding, which said a £10,000 cap could lead to a shortfall of £20million a year.

Labour is taking steps to reform relationships with the unions says Labour official

The Tories have plucked the figure of £40million from the air

Labour official

They insist it would double with Mr Miliband’s £5,000 cap. A Labour official said: “The Tories have plucked the figure of £40million from the air.

“Labour is taking steps to reform its relationship with the unions – the Tories should clean up their own backyard before criticising us.”